June 5, 2015 – Federal district court judge William H. Alsup has set a July 2016 trial date in a class action brought by the firm on behalf of a former employee of famed Spenger’s Fresh Fish Grotto in Berkeley for wage theft. A recently-filed amended complaint amplified claims previously made against owner and operator McCormick & Schmick and its corporate parent, Landry’s (until 2010, a publicly traded company), for persistent and systematic wage and hour violations under California law. Hundreds of current and former restaurant employees may have been damaged by these alleged violations; lost wages and penalties may run into the millions of dollars. Judge Alsup also ordered a settlement conference to be conducted by U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero; a date for that event is pending. A motion for class certification is expected before the end of the year.